In The Seats with...

You never know what's going to drive you to the brink....On this episode we dive into the complex areas of obsession and even Men's mental health with 'Sharp Corner'.Josh (Ben Foster) is increasingly consumed by the fatal car crashes in front of his house. As Josh's obsession takes hold, he begins to spiral, placing his wife and son in jeopardy and setting in motion a series of events that threaten to permanently break the family apart.'Sharp Corner' is a shocking reminder of the psychological labyrinth's that are around all of our corners each and every day.  Co-Writer/Director Jason Buxton manages to take us into an emotional maelstrom that quietly and rather powerfully walks us to the edge of a life on the brink of falling apart.Buxton and his team crafted a truly fantastic set piece and we had the please of sitting down with him before the release to talk about the origins of the story, getting his ensemble on the same page and so very much more....

Doing the right thing is never as easy as it seems.As we pick up the pieces of the latest installment of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival we're still coming to grips with the myriad of wonderful films that we got to take in at the festival.  One in particular had it's world premiere.'Betrayal' is the story of Cindor Reeves whose sister married Charles Taylor; a young idealistic rebel whose methods quickly elevated himself to be the authoritarian leader of Liberia who would commit war atrocities and crimes under his watch.  Reeves initially supported Taylor but as time quick passed his well defined sense would lead him to be a whistleblower, essentially against his own family.  At great risk to his family and friends he did the right thing and got Taylor imprisoned for War Crimes.  Now years later Reeves reflects on his life and what the true cost of doing the right thing actually was as 'Betrayal' truly gives a human face and a human cost on doing what is morally right...We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Lena Macdonald to talk about the film, how she had heard about this story and the not only insidious but true nature of it all as it unfolded in front of her....

Well somebody has to have it....On this episode we dive head first into a fascinating 15 part doc series all the episodes which are now available on Substack.  It's "First Word on Horror'.First Word on Horror is a fifteen-part documentary series that profiles five of the finest horror writers working today.   Across multiple episodes, each author discusses their life, their inspirations, their philosophies, and their writing techniques while reading one of their short stories. As fact and fiction blend, secrets are revealed and the delicate alchemy that turns human experience into creative expression begins to emerge.  The series is a love letter to writers of all ilk, to the primacy of the human experience, and to the simple act of reading a damned good story.   The authors profiled are New York Times bestsellers, multi-award winners, and cult favorites. In this first season, they are Stephen Graham Jones, Paul Tremblay, Elizabeth Hand, Laird Barron, and Mariana Enriquez.   Through the authors' lives the series takes viewers from a harrowing Iditarod dogsled race in Alaska to the lurking terror of growing up under the Argentinian dictatorship; from the unbridled energy of the early DC punk scene to an ill-fated hunting expedition on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana.  We talked with director and creator of the series Philip Gelatt about the genesis of this project and so very much more... 

It's truly amazing to run into a story that you can't believe actually hasn't been told yet....On this special episode we sit down with the writer/director team of Austin Andrews and Andrew Holmes to talk about their new film; 'The Island Between Tides'.Northern BC, 1982. Six-year-old Lily vanishes. For two days and nights, no one can find the cheery girl who'd strayed onto a remote tidal island. Until she's found at the exact spot she was last seen with no memory of being away. Unharmed but not unaltered.  The changes start gradually. Lily develops prodigious musical abilities, sensing the world through a mysteriousmelody only she can hear. But she can't shake her obsession with this island she can't remember, and that her family won't discuss. At 20, the melody leads her back to it, and when she disappears again, this time it's for good. Or so everyone believed. Decades later, Lily reappears. But, impossibly, she looks just as she did the day she vanished. To her, no time passed at all. Still a young woman, the rest of the world has aged around her, her family now whittled down to her elderly father, middle- aged sister, and the troubled son she'd left as an infant. Her assimilation isn't easy, testing even the strongest family's bond. Because this time, Lily didn't come back alone.Wildly considered to be the lost J.M. Barrie story and one that Alfred Hitchcock desperately tried to adapt for the big screen, The Island Between Tides is the kind of genre cinema that evokes memories of films like The Innocents and even Hitchcock's Rebecca (not the crappy Netflix version).We talked with Andrews and Holmes about the making of the film, the revelatory casting of Paloma Kwiatkowski in a leading performance that has the potential to be an absolute breakout turn, the visual esthetic of the film and the importance of Fried Chicken in the creative process along with so very much more....

Get your elbows up, it's time to support our national arts...On this special episode we are celebrating the shared pleasure and experience of watching a movie in theatre, which just feels appropriate because it is National Canadian Film Day.We sat down with Eric Tisch, one of hard working team over at National Canadian Film Day who put on a myriad of events all across the country about what he did last year during the Toronto International Film Festival.To put it simply, he broke the Guinness World Record for the amount of feature films seen during a film festival.  It was ALOT....and yes many of them were Canadian.We talked about the birth of the idea of this daunting task, the team work involved in getting it done and the magic of being able to watch movies the way they really should be seen....together.

Truth is always stranger then fiction...On this special episode we dive into a movie that after a successful festival run, including here at TIFF has finally made it's way back to theatres.  It's time for 'The Luckiest Man In America'May 1984. An unemployed ice cream truck driver steps onto the game show Press Your Luck harboring a secret: the key to endless money. But his winning streak is threatened when the bewildered executives uncover his real motivations.We got to talk with co-writer/director Samir Oliveros back at TIFF before the movie had even sold and I got to ask him about this next level star making turn he got out of Paul Walter Hauser, the genuine batshit nature of the story and so very much more.The Luckiest Man In America  is in theatres now.

It's so easy for things to get so complicated...On this special episode, friend of the show writer/director Jaime Kastner returns with 'The Spoils'.Amid the rise of the far-right in Germany, as the spoils of post-WW2 collections hit the world art market afresh, lawyers, curators, politicians, and Jewish groups the world round are duking it out, painting by painting, sketch by sketch, over questions of ownership, history, and morality.A series of failed attempts by the city of Düsseldorf to honour German-Jewish art dealer Max Stern, who barely escaped the war, settled in Montreal and became Canada's most successful art dealer, cuts to the heart of the current crisis in Germany and the art world beyond around the restitution of Nazi-looted art.Through a combination of exclusive interviews, actuality captured over a four-year period, and a gold-mine of rarely seenstock footage, The Spoils traces the be times tragic, often irony-laced strokes in this ongoing battle.We had the pleasure of sitting down with Jamie to talk about how he discovered this story, the realities of the war in Germany and it's subsequent aftermaths that are still taking place on many different levels.It's kicking off it's theatrical run across Canada and all the details are below so you can check out this truly thought provoking and conversation starting film.  Because it's not a story of answers, yet it's one that reminds us how we have to keep asking questions....Toronto Empress Walk - week long starting April 4 Hot Docs - April 5th (Q&A at 7:30pm)  MontrealCinema du Musee - April 6th (Q&A at 5PM with Jamie and Clarence moderated by Stéphane), April 8th (12PM), April 10th (12:45PM) OttawaByTowne Cinema - April 7th (Q&A at 6:30pm)WaterlooPrincess Twin - April 23rd (Q&A time TBC)HamiltonPlayhouse Cinema - April 26th (Q&A time TBC)EdmontonMetro - April 27th (Q&A at 12:30pm)Vancouver The Rio - May 3rd (Q&A, time TBC)

It can take something outside of the norm to shake us out of our standard situations....On this special episode we are diving back into the saddle and back into the archives for an interview we did almost a year ago, but is coming to theatres now.  It's time for the story of 'Darkest Miriam'.Miriam Gordon (Britt Lower) lives in a fog of grief while working amidst marginalized members of the public who populate this local branch of the Toronto Public Library. When a burgeoning love-affair coincides with her receiving a series of oddly threatening letters addressed to her, Miriam's sheltered existence is about to upended in ways she couldn't have imagined.This is a deeply intense psycho drama that takes us down the rabbit hole that love and grief can do to people in some pretty weird ways.We had the chance to talk with writer/director Naomi Jaye to talk about it all and then some.

There's something to be said about being able to exist in both worlds....On this episode we dive into an unexpectedly enjoyable new animated romp which is in theatres tomorrow.  It's time to embrace 'Night of the Zoopocalypse'.After a meteor unleashes a virus that turns zoo animals into mutants, a mountain lion (David Harbour) and wolf (Gabbi Kosmidis) lead a team of surviving animals to stop the virus and rescue their zoo.I'll just say it....this shouldn't have worked as well as it does because even though it's from the mind of the legendary Clive Barker, it's sweet and goofy as all hell to.We had the pleasure of sitting with directors Ricardo Curtis & Rodrigo Perez-Castro to talk about how they got involved with the project, the pressures of adapting something from Clive Barker while still maintaining a family friendly sheen to it all.'Night of the Zoopocalypse' is in theatres Friday March 7th.

When that bell rings, it's all about the spectacle...On today's episode we dive into a dark then expected tale inside the squared circle of professional wrestling where the violence goes a little above and beyond in "Dark Match".A small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match.From writer/director Lowell Dean and on VOD platforms now; 'Dark Match' which also stars wrestling legend Chris Jericho is a gonzo film ride to say the least.We had the pleasure of sitting down with star Ayisha Issa who plays "Miss Behave" (epic wrestling name) about getting involved with the project, learning some of the physicality of wrestling and so very much more

Relationships change.On this very special episode we dive into one of our favorite Canadian films of the last calendar year which is now playing at the Scotiabank Theatre; it's time for 'Paying For It'.'Paying For It' is a live-action adaptation of acclaimed alternative-cartoonist Chester Brown's best-selling graphicnovel. In the late 90s, Chester and Sonny are a long-term, committed, romantic couple. When Sonny wants toredefine their relationship, Chester, an introverted cartoonist, starts sleeping with sex workers and discovers a newkind of intimacy in the process. 'Paying For It' is about love, sex and non-monogamy for adults. It deals with thecomplicated subject of the exchange for sex-work versus the complications of romantic love.Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Chester Brown this is such a sweet and honest examination of the ever evolving nature of intimacy and one of the reasons that it hits so darn well is because a lot of it is pulled from the life of the films writer/director, the one and only Sook-Yin Lee.Before the film debuted back at TIFF, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Sook-Yin to talk about the nature of the story, the personal and broader elements of it all as she brought this passion project to screen.'Paying For It' is in select theatres across Canada now.

Sometimes it's fun to be the contrarian...Dropping on Paramount Plus we get the fresh entry the Federation of Planets in 'Star Trek: Section 31'.Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) joins a secret division of Starfleet. Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, she also must face the sins of her past.I can't lie, I dug this as the Star Trek universe is trying to spread it's wings a little bit.  Plus Michelle Yeoh chewing the scenery and supporting some Canadian made Star Trek in our own back yard is never a bad thing.I got the pleasure of sitting down with director Olatunde Osunsanmi who is a veteran of this franchise about dovetailing this story from 'Star Trek: Discovery' into it's own thing, Canada's connection to Star Trek and so very much more....

Hope finds a way to keep going....On this very special episode we dive into the powerful new documentary which is available on VOD platforms now; In The Shadow of Beirut.In Sabra, one of Beirut's toughest urban slums, sectarianism and violence is a permanent way of life. Rabia, a 38-year-old hardworking but undocumented Lebanese mother, cannot afford to admit her chronically ill daughter to hospital, leaving the life of her innocent child hanging in the balance. Father of five, Ayman is preparing the way for his daughter Sanaa's engagement to a local man as his way of protecting her in the neighborhood as he labors to provide the most basic essentials for his family to survive. Young father Aboodi is struggling to kick his drug habit, which has brought him to prison before, as he battles to find a new path in life that will make him a better parent to his toddler son. In nearby Shatila, Abu Ahmad, an 8-year-old, angelic-looking but mischievous Syrian boy who fled ISIS, labors hard to feed his family while forging an unlikely friendship with a civil war veteran and fruit stall owner. In the Shadow of Beirut weaves these four compelling storylines together in a searing portrait of a people and a city struggling to survive amidst some of the most difficult living conditions imaginable. In this failing state, it is the vulnerable who suffer the most.This is an undeniably poignant piece of cinema that allows audiences to see a glimmer of hope and humanity in a place where no one would blame us for thinking that those ideals had been abandoned long ago.We had the pleasure of talking with filmmakers Garry Keane and Stephen Gerard Kelly about the challenges of making a film like 'In The Shadow of Beirut' and so very much more.

The music NEVER stopped.On this episode we dive into one of the better pop culture documentaries that we have seen in recent memory in 'Disco's Revenge'.In the early 70s, the beat child of New York's Black and LGBTQ+ communities was born on the city's underground dance floor. Disco emerged as an exuberant musical genre, a vital social movement and a vibrant culture before enduring a vicious backlash nearly a decade later. In our collective pop-culture imagination, Disco's merely a fad relegated to soft-focus memories of  Saturday Night Fever and Studio 54.  It is a pulsating deep dive into the very soul of disco music and its enduring impact across genres and history, told by the people who created it, nurtured it, and in turn, discovered themselves on the dancefloor. The film asks: Why does disco matter and, in these divisive times, why does disco matter now more than ever?  Featuring interviews and performances by Nile Rodgers and Chic, Billy Porter, Nona Hendryx and LaBelle, Grandmaster Flash, Fab Five Freddy, Nicky Siano, Earl Young and The Trammps, Jellybean Benitez, Kevin Saunderson, Sylvester and Martha Wash and many others. Never has a film really got as anthropological when looking at a slice of music culture and that's what makes 'Disco's Revenge' so damn special. With sit down with writer/direcfor's Omar Majeed and Peter Mishara to get deep into the groove of it all.'Disco's Revenge' is on all VOD platforms.

Paranoia crosses all cultural lines....On this episode we dive into one of the better pieces of cinema to come out in recent memory in the Iranian gem; 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'.Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble.Filled with relatable family drama and political tension so palpable you could cut it with a knife and even at a herculean run time of 2hr and 46 min; 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' is hard to look away from.Shot in secret in Iran we had the pleasure of talking with writer/director Mohammed Rasoulof (with the help of a translator) about the origins of the story and so very much more,'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' is playing in Toronto now and rolling out across the country in the coming weeks.

New year brings new promises of entertainment...We kick off 2025 with a bang and a slew of new episodes and things to be talking about, especially what to start binging on these cold Canadian winter nights.'Saint-Pierre' is the story of a hard nosed Newfoundland cop (Allan Hawco) who is exiled to the French Island of 'Saint-Pierre' to team up with a headstrong deputy and solve crimes that push the boundaries of the local idyllic facade.We had the pleasure of sitting down with the stars of the show Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert about joining the show, its appeal and the magic behind the crime procedural.'Saint-Pierre' is airing weekly on CBC and is subsequently available to stream on CBC Gem.

Those stories we wish we didn't have to be told, are usually the ones that need to be listened to...On this special episode we dive into 'Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner' which is doing the rounds and Academy Awards eligible.  With the 10th anniversary of Eric Garner's death and no end in sight for this epidemic of police violence it's more important than ever to share Gwen's story. Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, has spent years seeking justice over the death of her son. At home, surrounded by photos of lost loved ones, she draws strength from cherished memories to keep fighting. Filmed over six years, this documentary marks the 10-year anniversary of Eric's death.The film really does look at the idea of understanding the strength that can come out of tragedy and feels more relevant today then it ever has before.We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Brad Bailey to talk about getting the project in motion, the importance of being an 'oral historian' inside the documentary framework in a story like this and so very much more.

It's time for a perfect combination....On this episode we go head first into the making of "Creepy Bits: Season 2" which just happens to available on demand with our friends over at Hollywood Suite; who just happen to be having their Annual free preview from Dec 1 through Jan 5th so if you haven't already signed up....go for it.'Creepy Bits' is an excellent anthology series that supports burgeoning Canadian talent and is yet another example of what we are capable of as storytellers.  We had the pleasure of talking with creator David J Fernandes, and one of his directors on the series Ashlea Wessel who is beginning to carve out her own space in the genre storytelling world with a debut feature on the way.  David jumped in a little late because of his new born but we really had a great conversation with both of these unique talents. Topics ranged from funding, genre films and everything else in-between.  Enjoy our talk with David and Ashlea and check out on 'Creepy Bits: Season 2' on Hollywood suite which is running their annual free preview right now

Even in the face of the horrors of war, art and beauty must prevail...On this very special episode, we're diving into a look at some very people who are sticking to their principles of creating beauty while defending their country from invasion.  It's time for 'Porcelain War'Under roaring fighter jets and missile strikes, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay behind and fight, contending with the soldiers they have become. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it's easy to make people afraid, it's hard to destroy their passion for living.This film is undeniable testament to the human spirit and the importance of art in the face of human tragedies like the war in Ukraine.  We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with co-director Brendan Bellomo and producer Paula DuPre Pesman about how 'Porcelain War' came to be.Porcleain War hits the TIFF Lightbox this Friday.

I won't lie....this business can kick your ass sixteen different ways....which is why it's always important to have help.On this episode I sit down with noted producer and and founder or Sugar Studios Jijo Reed to discuss the in's and out's of the film and television industry along with his legacy in it and how a place like Sugar Studios is unique in what it provides and so very much more as we go somewhat 'inside baseball' on so many of the moving pieces that come into the art of production on so many levels in Hollywood.

There's an art to doing sci-fi and action on an indie budget...On this special episode we're diving into two of our favourite things, Science Fiction and Canadian cinema with the new film 'Levels' that opens in theatres tomorrow!Levels is the story of a young man (Peter Mooney) who after witnessing his girlfriend (Cara Gee) get murdered in front of his eyes goes on a journey where he has to risk it all; including his grasp on reality in order to discover the truth.It's a great entry into a very thoughtful off shoot of the genre as we get roped into it all via some excellent execution in storytelling and some great performances.In advance of the films release we had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the stars of the film David Hewlitt about how he got the job, the joys of science-fiction and so very much more.

What was once old and reviled is now fresh and genius....it only took 25 years for it to happen....On this special episode we are looking at a critically reviled piece of cinema back in 1999 that now on rewatch was underappreciated and ahead of its time.  Ladies and Gentleman; it's time for your 'Breakfast of Champions".Based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut, this is the story of Dwayne Hoover (Willis), the most respected business man in Midland City, who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. When Hoover meets Kilgore Trout (Finney), a misunderstood and impoverished writer, their two worlds collide, setting forth a ripple of events that will alter both men's lives -- along with Midland City forever.Panned and reviled to the point that it almost sent writer/director Alan Rudolph out of Hollywood on a rail, Breakfast of Champions at the time was a misunderstood effort and generally labeled a disaster that the critics hate and the audiences didn't understand.By nature we critics tend to be a cranky breed but it's important to admit when we're wrong too.25 years later, we as movie going audiences have evolved quite a bit and are now able to see the unhinged hilarity in this observational underbelly of American life that has been projected through the fun house mirror.  Right now; "Breakfast of Champions" is relevant as ever because back then this story was over the top and gonzo, but now it actually feels like a slice of Americana that many desperate and misunderstood people can relate too.We had the pleasure of sitting down and talking about the roller coaster ride that has been 'Breakfast of Champions' with writer/director Alan Rudolph as he gives us insight into it all and shines a light on a Canadian film icon who helped bring this film back to life.'Breakfast of Champions' is in theatres as of Nov 1st in the US and Canada but comes to the Revue Cinema here in Toronto on Nov 5th.   Go rediscover a misunderstood gem of a film.

Beautiful things happen in this world when you get to turn your action up to 11....On this very special episode we get the pleasure to sit down with one of the modern masters of action as his new film debuted at TIFF a couple of months back and it's on Netflix right now.  It's time for 'The Shadow Strays'After nearly botching a mission, Codename 13, a prodigal assassin found herself suspended from further duties. The killer teen meets Monji, a young boy who lost his mother to a crime syndicate. When Monji disappeared, 13 turned on setting a path of destruction to find her only friend... even at the cost of defying her mentor and the organization she belongs to; The Shadows.This is a straight up master class in action cinema and we had the pleasure of sitting down with Writer/Director Timo Tjahjanto about the origins of it all, his loaded female driven ensemble cast and the freedoms of working with Netflix along with very much more....

Romance and Revenge rarely mix....On this special episode we're going into the way back machine for an interview from a couple of Fantasia Film Fests ago but is now getting it's touring theatrical and VOD run this Nov. 12th. It's time for Compulsus.Driven by rage, empathy, and something she can't yet name, Wally (Lesley Smith) secretly patrols the streets at night, taking physical revenge on abusive hipster men on behalf of the survivors who can't. When law-abiding Lou (Kathleen Dorian) enters her world, love and revenge clash, threatening to infiltrate their relationship.Compulsus is ultimately less about the gratuitous revenge but more about that these types of assaults are still happening to this day and is really about the horror's of what we AREN'T seeing, which makes it a much more compelling ride.We had the pleasure of talking with Writer/Director Tara Thorne and Star Lesley Smith about the origins and the experience of it all.

You know there's magic in not quite knowing....On this very special episode we go down the rabbit hole that lies somewhere between truth and fiction and could easily be adjacent to the Twilight Zone somewhere outside of Winnipeg as we dive head first into the new film 'Don't F**k With Ghosts' which is in select theatres now but coming to VOD platforms by the end of the month.Filmmaking duo, Adam and Stu (who you may remember from 2020's Faking A Murderer are convinced they need to capitalize on the next paranormal phenomenon, attempting to prove that ghosts are real.With ease and charm, Stuart Stone and Adam Rodness blur the lines between truth and fiction by gleefully throwing it all in the blender and seeing what comes out.  Don't F**k With Ghosts is that and then some as it has charm for days and gets you invested not only in the quest to prove that ghosts are real but also in the insane journey that is independent filmmaking.I had the pleasure of talking with Stuart and Adam about the origins of it all and so very much more....

It's always a good time to let your freak flag fly...On this episode we embrace the world of the one and only Steven Kostanski head on as we look at his new film 'Frankie Freako" which is hitting theatres tomorrow.Workaholic yuppie Conor is in an existential rut until one night he catches a bizarre ad for a party hotline hosted by a strange dancing goblin: Frankie Freako. Could this be just the recipe to spice up his boring life?We talked with Steven about the evolution of the project, how he's evolved as a storyteller, the influence of the 1980's video store wave had on him and ultimately what made him want to tell this incredibly silly but ultimately entertaining story.'Frankie Freako' opens in select theatres tomorrow

Some intellectual properties transcend platforms, formats and anything else we can think of....On this episode we dive into the deep end over at Prime Video with the second season of 'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' coming to a close to be able to get some insight into the epic look and feel of the show which has been delighting audiences all across the globe.I had the unique opportunity to sit down with director Charlotte Brandstrom & cinematographer Alex Disenhof who worked on the last 2 episodes of Season 1, but also the first AND the last two episodes of Season 2 so their style is unquestionably all over this run.We talked about the uniqueness of being paired together like they have been, particularly during a TV run but also working with the showrunners and the entire team about crafting this vision of middle earth.'Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is streaming on Prime Video now.

Community is where you make it....On this episode we dive into those little communities that become special in ways we can never expect.Coming to VOD platforms this Sept 10th; 'Happy Campers' is a film that chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life. In a waterfront campground off the coast of Virginia, residents spend their summers living spitting distance apart in rust-bitten RVs. They chuckle about the modest rent they pay for a million-dollar location, but what makes them the luckiest people in the world is more than just stunning sunsets, it's the community they've created. Beneath cliched trailer park stereotypes lies an unlikely utopia where all are welcome. Neighbors help each other out, and share everything from power tools to simple pleasures. Loneliness and isolation are inconceivable.  When their affordable paradise is sold to developers, the residents brace for eviction and the loss of friendships that span generations. They hold tight to their final days in the sun. The well-heeled crowd that takes their place will never be as wealthy. It's a simple and really charming story that truly highlights the difference between being rich and being wealthy as writer/director Amy Nicholson gives us an unfiltered slice of gorgeous Americana.We had the pleasure of talking with Amy about the origins of the film and so very much more....

There's a genuine art to be able to make something....out of something else.On this episode we dive into something that just might be the biggest creative challenge for editors out there in the world.  Crafting a film from a myriad of archival footage.It's no wonder Alan Lowe has been nominated for an Emmy for his work on 'Steve! (Martin): A Documentary In Two Pieces which is available on Apple TV+ now.We got to talk to Alan about how he got the job, making a film out of the archive's of an pop culture icon's life and so very much more....

In many ways movement isn't just about how people moved, but the why behind it all....On this very special episode we are deeping diving behind the scenes with those artisans who work behind the scenes on some of our favourite movies and TV shows.Today we talk with Emmy nominated Choreographer Jennifer Hamilton about her work on the hit show 'Physical; which drops us into the aerobics boom of the 1980'sWhen dealing with such a unique moment in time, being specific is an unequivocal gift and that was key in the work from choreographer Jennifer Hamilton who really needed to match the tone of the 80's which had some over the top camp but some quiet terror all at the same.We talked with Jennifer about how she got the job, the magic of movement and so very much more....

It's all about finding the right rhythms and right energy....On this special episode we're back in the world of Apple TV+ as we gear up for the Emmy's looking at the work it takes behind the scenes on many of these often nominated shows but often forgotten nominees behind them all.We're back into the world of 'Slow Horses' as we talk with editor Zsófia Tálas about coming into an established show like this, finding the rhythm of it all and the creative payoffs inside it all.Check out 'Slow Horses' on Apple TV+ streaming now.

In this day and age, the fake news cycle is almost as important as the actual one....As election season ramps up for our friends to the south, producing TV at an effortless pace for multiple viewing platforms is never as easy as it looks, which is why the ones who do make it look easy deserve to get nominated for Emmy's.We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with director David Paul Meyer who has been working on the show for the last several years.  We've talked about the different iterations the show has gone under during his watch, creating the show now not only with different comics and hosts but in making something that is universally watched on multiple platforms at a high level like few others before it.Obviously 'The Daily Show' is high level comedy viewing no matter where we live, but getting insight into this level of production gives me that much more appreciation for the men and women that are nominated on a show like this.'The Daily Show' is on Comedy Central in the US, CTV here in Canada and can be seen on Paramount+ and digested in bits from platforms like YouTube to TikTok.

Sometimes it's the music of a thing that really and truly makes it sing....Up for multiple Emmy nominations this year, 'Palm Royale' is yet another fantastic show on Apple+ that you should probably check out as the fantastic Kirsten Wiig leads a fantastic ensemble through the dark corners of high society in 1969.  Something that really ties this show together is it's choice and use of music and we had the pleasure to speak with the composer of it all the one and only Jeff Toyne, who happens to be a double Emmy nominee this year not only for music throughout the show but for the opening title sequence (it's actually two categories....who knew?)We talked with Jeff about getting the job, the use of music on the show, what drove him to compose for the screen and so very much more....'Palm Royale; is on Apple+ now.

Being fabulous transcends all....On this episode we got the unique pleasure of sitting down with Emmy nominated director of the cultural phenomenon that we didn't expect to love; 'Rupaul's Drag Race'.We talked with Nick (while he was on his vacation) about he got brought on board into the universe that Ru has been bringing audiences, how they keep the show fresh year after year and being a part of something that is quite literally a cultural phenomenon.Nominated for 9 Primetime Emmy's this year, the Rupaul-verse is one that will undoubtedly put a smile on audiences all across the globe....if it hasn't already.

It's a genuine gift to be an actor and explore so many different characters, even the kinds that have to look into the very hearts of darkness....When the skeletal remains of eleven women and girls are discovered in the New Mexico desert, an extensive investigation is launched. Inspired by true crime stories, this chilling crime-thriller follows Detective Ortega (Brian Van Holt), Police Chief Carter (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), and Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson) in a multi-agency effort to identify and apprehend the killer. As each of their agendas and methods clash, a tangled web of intrigue casts suspicion in all directions.These movies can be hard on viewers like us to watch as it really shows us the dark side of humanity and it can be even darker for the actors who are taking us down this rabbit hole.We had the pleasure of talking with star Brian Van Holt about going down this rabbit hole, the arc of his career and the joy of the work as an actor.'Boneyard' is on VOD platforms.

Occasionally it's vital to look into the heart of darkness...On this episode we dive into the world of VOD and the new feature "Boneyard" which is available on all platforms now.When the skeletal remains of eleven women and girls are discovered in the New Mexico desert, an extensive investigation is launched. Inspired by true crime stories, this chilling crime-thriller follows Detective Ortega (Brian Van Holt), Police Chief Carter (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), and Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson) in a multi-agency effort to identify and apprehend the killer. As each of their agendas and methods clash, a tangled web of intrigue casts suspicion in all directions.Pulling from the headlines and the true cases themselves, writer/director Asif Akbar crafts something that is hard to look away from.  We had the pleasure of talking with Asif about the origins of the story and so very much more.'Boneyard' is available on VOD platforms now

For a guy nobody wants to talk about, we certainly had a lot to talk about....On yet another very special episode we dive into the underbelly of the world of hacking, illegal surveillance and some occasionally deprived and really weird stuff in the new documentary Nobody Wants To Talk About Jacob Applebaum which is having a second screening tonight at the TIFF Bell Lightbox before it debuts on CBC Gem this coming Wednesday the 26th.Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, had a crucial hearing at London's High Court last week where judges approved a short extension on his appeal to challenge possible extradition to the U.S. to confront 18 charges, predominantly under the Espionage Act. His fate, and the fate of those who worked with him, is still up in the air. If and/or when Assange is extradited to the U.S., attention will surely shift to his closest allies, including American Jacob Appelbaum, referred to as “WLA3” (WikiLeaks Associate 3) in indictments against Assange, who himself is currently residing in exile in Germany.  A new film by Canadian filmmaker Jamie Kastner, "Nobody Wants To Talk About Jacob Appelbaum" delves into the intriguing yet troubled persona of Appelbaum, whose destiny appears tightly interwoven with Assange's, and the obscure subculture from which they both emerged.  Kastner ("The Skyjacker's Tale”, "There Are No Fakes," + ) embarks on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding Jacob Appelbaum.  The film includes interviews reluctantly secured from elusive individuals including Appelbaum himself, woven together with seldom-seen footage and original investigative efforts, forming a cautionary tale relevant to our times.No word of lie, but this one gets a little out there, we had the pleasure of sitting down with friend of the show, director Jamie Kastner about what drew him to this story, how the film sits just on the wrong side of uncomfortable at times plus a little bonus news about how one of his previous films actually helped to generate some positive results in the world.Nobody Wants To Talk About Jacob Applebaum is on CBC Gem this Wednesday June 26th. 

Even while working in a small space, stunt work is a necessary and meticulous craft...You guessed it, we're deep into the world of Apple TV once more with the fantastic show 'Masters of the Air' as we dive into the stunt work on the show with stunt coordinator Lee Morrison.A veteran of the industry we talked with Lee about getting involved in the project, the challenges of staging stunts in a cockpit set and so very much more....Masters of the Air is on Apple TV+ now.

The saying that "It takes a village" to get these things made is so true in documentary filmmaking....On this episode we are back in the throws of the Apple TV+ streaming service looking at the documentary 'Girls State'.From Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, Girls State takes teenage girls from wildly different backgrounds across Missouri navigate a week-long immersive experiment in American democracy, build a government from the ground up, and reimagine what it means to govern.A fascinating watch and a must see, we had the pleasure of sitting down with some of the cinematography team that was boots on the ground shooting all this; Thorsten Thielow and Laura Hudock.We talked about getting the job, the nature of the shoot any challenges they encountered along the way and so very much more.Girls State is available now on Apple TV+

You've always gotta be on, looking for that right piece of music....On today's episode we dive back into the world of Apple TV+ that just happens to have one of the coolest shows on recent TV there right now in 'Sugar'.The show takes us to private investigator John Sugar(Colin Farrell) who examines the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the granddaughter of a legendary Hollywood producer.Leaning hard on its style, in many ways Sugar plays like jazz.  We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with music supervisor Gabe Hilfer about his work on the show, working with the composers hand in hand, always being on the look out and what that can truly mean at any given moment.Sugar is on Apple TV+ now.

The art of costuming is so vital and so incredibly underrated...On this very special episode we are going back into the sky with 'Masters of the Air' which is on Apple TV+ now.It's often forgotten, but the work that goes into costume design for characters on a show like this is so detailed.  Not only in making sure that they are period accurate but also accurate to their individual characters.We had the unique pleasure sitting down with award winning costume designer Colleen Atwood to talk about the job, her work on the show and so very much more....Masters of the Air is available on Apple TV+ now.

When world building, attention to detail is more vital then most of us can truly appreciate...On this episode we're back in the saddle with Apple TV+ and taking a look behind the scenes at their show 'Lessons In Chemistry'.Set in the 1950s, and based on the novel of the same name, the show takes us to the life of chemist Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) who is fired from her lab, and subsequently takes a job as a host on a TV cooking show.It's an ambitious and multi layered show that truly tracks the compelling evolution of feminism in the time period and allows us to revel in a complicated tapestry that was still trying to figure itself out.We had the pleasure of sitting down with Production Designer Cat Smith and Set Decorator Lori Mazuer about the complexities of the job, how they got into the industry and where the creative pay off of it all lands for them...Lessons In Chemistry is on Apple TV+ now.

There's always two sides of the coin when world building in our favorite films and TV shows....Once more on this episode we dive head first into the world of Silo which is available on Apple TV+ now.We've talked music and we've talked production design but to complete our behind the scenes trilogy on Silo we go into the world of visual effects talking with Daniel Rauchwerger about how they crafted this uniquely claustrophobic thriller and it's all encompassing environments...Silo is on Apple TV+ now.

The task of world building on some of these shows can be pretty daunting....On this episode we are back once again in the worlds of 'Silo' which is on Apple TV+ now.Production design on a show like this is always going to be a tricky beast because it's always going to be a blend of the practical and the VFX.We had the pleasure of talking with the production designer of the show; Gavin Bocquet about the challenges of the job and making so many of these worlds marry together.Silo is streaming on Apple TV+ now.

It is very often the music that makes the thing...We're beginning a deep dive into Silo which is on one of our favourite streaming services Apple TV+.  It's the story of a group of men and women living in a giant silo underground with several regulations which they believe are in place to protect them from the toxic and ruined world on the surface.  Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson), an engineer, begins to look into the underground silo that she and thousands live in after the murder of someone she loved.It's an incredible tense ride and we had the unique pleasure of sitting down with composer Atli Örvarsson to talk about the process of crafting music for a show like this and so very much more....Silo is streaming on Apple TV+ now.

There are parts of the TV and movie making process that can be a lost art....On this episode we go behind the curtain on the TV show 'HiJack' which is streaming on Apple TV+ now.Hijack is the story of business negotiator Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) who is compelled to use his skills to save passengers on a hijacked airplane in the seven-part thriller created by George Kay and Jim Field Smith.Think of it kind of like 24 on airplane, it's that kind of intense.  It's got a very unique title design to it's opening sequence and it really adds to the layers of the show. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Main Title Designer James Robertson about what goes into the art of doing something like this.  We ask him how long it takes, the kind of creative freedoms they have and so very much more....Hijack is on Apple TV now.

Sometimes it only takes a simple shift in perspective to truly change the game...On this one we're playing a little bit of catch up but it's for a good one that is still doing great business heading into it's second weekend.  It's time for 'In A Violent Nature'.When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year-old crime, his body is resurrected, and he becomes hellbent on retrieving it. The undead golem hones in on the group of vacationing teens responsible for the theft and proceeds to methodically slaughter them one by one in his mission to get it back – along with anyone in his way.Through the simple idea of shifting the perspective of the narrative to the killer we get to see a genre in an entirely new light and it's fascinating.We had the pleasure of sitting down with "Johnny" to talk about the film but thankfully he's played by friend of the show the one and only Ry Barrett.We talked with Ry about stepping into the mind of a killer, the nature of how they shot the film in the great outdoors, some of the wild kills and his journey as an actor up to this moment.

Sometimes it takes 'Bad Boys' to navigate the crazy landscape of Hollywood.On this episode we dive head first into the action Blockbuster which is in theatres today.  It's time for 'Bad Boys: Ride Or Die'.The world's favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run.With their unique blend of action and comedy, these movies just work and are a hell of a lot of fun.Back for their second trip in the franchise, we had the pleasure of sitting down with directors Adil El Arbi & Bilal Fallah about coming back for this installment, navigating the stressful highs and lows, developing chemistry with their stars and having faith in each other as 'Bad Boys' to each other.'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' is in theatres now.

Sometimes there is no 'Plan B'.On this very special episode we get back into the TV of things as the 3rd Season of 'Mayor of Kingstown' is now rolling out on Paramount Plus.The McLusky family are power brokers tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.Starring the one and only Jeremy Renner and co-created by Taylor Sheridan and Canada's own Hugh Dillon, this is a character crime drama that is earning it's credibility in the genre along side some of the greats in TV lore.We had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with co-creator and co-star Hugh Dillon to talk about the challenges heading into Season 3, and appreciating the "fun" of being an actor and a storyteller.

It's always fun when you get to talk with someone amazing BEFORE they become a star...On this episode we dive head first into a brilliant new movie hitting VOD platforms tomorrow.  It's time for 'Edge of Everything'.A teenager (Sierra McCormick) on the cusp of turning 15, straddles the line between childhood and adulthood when she is forced to move in with her father and his younger girlfriend after her mother's death.Edge of Everything is a brilliantly grounded coming of age story that is more emotionally engaging then you'd expect at first glance thanks to an excellent performance from lead Sierra McCormick.You may recognize Sierra from films like Vast of Night and V.F.W. but there's no doubt that here in this film she delivers a performance that could just be setting her up to be on the brink of being something pretty big.We talk about reading for the role and her initial reactions as well as the work in general and worshiping at the altar of cinema to really make herself more well rounded and even more impressive in this incredibly difficult business.You heard it from us first, Sierra McCormick is going to be a force to be reckoned with if she keeps doing amazing work like she does here.

In this modern media landscape, it's so easy to miss some pretty cool stuff....On this very special episode we dive back into the vaults for a cool little horror movie that has been freshly remastered and is now on DVD and Blu-Ray for the world to see.  It's time for 'We Go On'.Miles Grissom has not had an easy life, but has set himself on a unique path to truly solve the questions that have plagued him throughout his life.  He's offering $30,000 to the first person that can prove that we actually go on after death.From writer/directors Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton who you may know from there film 'Yellowbrickroad' give us a subtle and insidiously creepy affair that gotten forgotten back in 2016 but is now on DVD and Blu-Ray demanding a second look.We had the unique pleasure of sitting down with the one and only Annette O'Toole to talk about her role in the movie, her relationship to the horror genre and waxing philosophical about a pretty interesting career.Spoiler: Your hosts inner fan boy comes out just a little on this one....